The University of Iowa Foundation (UIRF) and UI Ventures are committed to helping faculty protect intellectual property and translate research into commercially viable licensing opportunities and startups.
The two teams can help faculty understand and navigate the sometimes-challenging terrain of IP protection, whether this is their first experience in this area or they’re a seasoned pro.
“IP protection and development is a foundational aspect of the University of Iowa’s economic development strategy,” said Dan Reed, Vice President for Research and Economic Development (OVPR&ED). “We’re committed to safeguarding the innovative work of our researchers and to providing the support they need to take their discoveries out into the marketplace.”
Among many other things the OVPR&ED economic development staff can discuss:
- How to proceed when you think you have a commercializable invention
- Steps you can take to protect your IP
- How to find space when you’re beginning to think about commercialization
- Where to seek funding
- How to start a company
- New IP enhancement activities
“Faculty or research leadership with questions about intellectual property, patents, copyright, startups, or other tech-transfer issues are encouraged to get in touch with us,” said Richard Hichwa, Senior Associate Vice President for Research.
Hichwa said a search is under way for a new Assistant Vice President for Economic Development to oversee these efforts. In the meantime, he said he’s happy to respond to calls or emails at 319-335-2106 or richard-hichwa@uiowa.edu.
“We’re open for business and happy to schedule a face-to-face meeting to step you through the process for taking an invention to market,” he said.
The UI Research Foundation and UI Ventures are part of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, which provides resources and support to researchers and scholars at the University of Iowa and to businesses across Iowa with the goal of forging new frontiers of discovery and innovation and promoting a culture of creativity that benefits the campus, the state, and the world. More at http://research.uiowa.edu, and on Twitter: @DaretoDiscover.